I don't think riding becomes harder with boots, rather easier from what I hear.

Funny, and those guys tell me not to use a handle...

Again, easier definitely isn't the right word.

It's different so you have to learn all your tricks over again which takes alot of time. But with much lighter boots and boot specific boards it is becoming less difficult for people to make the transition.

And just throwing boots on your feet obviously doesn't make ones riding more stylish.

Even if it does make it objectively easier to ride in boots, do downhill skiiers connect their boots with sandle straps to their high performance skiis? Do wakeboarders put a little rubber bungee over their forefoot? Do rock climbers use a sandle covered in stealth rubber ?

Sometimes something being ' harder ' isn't because you're performing the same manuever at a higher level - its because you're using the wrong tool.

And you're right Toby, not many here seem to have their story 100% straight on what works....

Dont get your ponytail in a knot - your freeride style of riding will always be around, showboating will always survive, it just might not be as pointey-toed as you think .(gods be good).

I think straps are better for your knees. if you land wrong you can tear an acl because there's no way to release the pressure. Hadlow never suffered an acl injury until he switched to boots and tore it early this year. boots are better for your ankles. one foot in, one foot out, usually you rip your ankle, less often it's a knee. Ruben Lenten tore up his ankle in straps and his ankle has not been right since.

Boots def better for your knees!
You ride in your own stance, and your knees baisicly in one position. Yes things can go wrong and you can hurt your knee quite bad but it prob will happen after a real massive crash.
In straps things can go wrong way easier than boots. Boots doesnt fit to everyone but for sure it will be usefull for anyone who like to ride hard. About style, either you have it or not.

For the rocker issue, its not 100% because its depents on the rider himself. You can get the pop you looking for with a high rocker, wider, thicker board (Custom, Hadlow,Arcade etc) but then you goes a bit slower and need more power to ride/bigger kite. Or you can get it with a more stiff, solid rocker board that goes faster and more a kiteboard than a wakeboard. Its all metter of preferences. Both can work reall good as long they not too small and dont break.